The hottest Human Impact Substack posts right now

AI is being hyped as a revolutionary technology, but its real-world impact is limited compared to basic necessities like indoor plumbing. We often overlook how essential and transformative improvements in basic infrastructure have been.
Many claims about AI's incredible benefits are overstated. In reality, AI does small tasks that people can already do themselves, which raises questions about its actual social importance.
The ongoing hype around AI seems to come from a deep desire for a breakthrough technology that can change our lives. However, life is likely to remain mostly the same, with more focus needed on real improvements in areas like medicine.

The UK government has made it extremely difficult for British citizens to live with their foreign partners due to high income requirements, impacting families severely.
The increased income threshold to £38,700 is unattainable for many British citizens, creating unnecessary barriers to bring foreign partners and children to the UK.
The income requirement for spousal visas forces individuals to choose between their country and their family, causing isolation, loneliness, and hardships for couples and children.

Recent extreme heat and smoke in places like New York can be partly blamed on a huge volcanic eruption in Tonga. It's important to know that natural events, like volcanoes, can impact the Earth's temperature just as much as human activities.
Despite alarming headlines about wildfires and their link to climate change, the actual area burned by wildfires has been decreasing over the years. Most wildfires are caused by human actions, not climate change, and better land management could help more than strict climate policies.
Global warming is a significant issue, but much of it is influenced by natural events. While we need to address our consumption and behavior, some environmental changes are beyond our control and have always occurred throughout history.

Data governance is important for keeping technology human-friendly. It helps us make sure that tech doesn't take over our lives.
The rise of AI has changed the game, making data and AI governance even more crucial. We need to focus on using technology in ways that benefit everyone.
Good tech creates real value for people. It's about how well technology works for the users, not just its shiny features or capabilities.

Dutch elm disease has devastated elm tree populations worldwide due to a unique destructive fungal infection.
The industrial revolution has facilitated the spread of tree pathogens globally through transportation networks.
Efforts such as vaccination and selective breeding show promise in combating tree diseases, highlighting the importance of human intervention in preserving tree species.

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A small lake in Ontario has been chosen to represent the Anthropocene epoch in Earth's history due to human activity.
Humans have significantly transformed Earth's systems, leading to a new epoch where human history is now Earth's history.
Geologists have selected Crawford Lake in Ontario as a witness and representative site for the Anthropocene, with its layers of sediment telling the story of human impact.

Technology can sometimes prioritize efficiency over human well-being.
Garbage trucks have evolved to be operated by only one person, eliminating the camaraderie and interaction that used to exist among the crew.
The shift towards automation in garbage trucks highlights the lack of human connection and accountability in certain technological advancements.

Europe experienced extreme cold events during the Little Ice Age, impacting daily life and causing food shortages.
The Little Ice Age was a period of global cooling from 1250 to 1860, with significant impacts on Europe.
The Great Dying in the Americas led to a decline in native populations, contributing to global climate change and the onset of the Little Ice Age.

Climate change is happening fast and causing severe problems. We've seen many climate records broken this year, which worries scientists.
By the end of this century, many people might struggle to live due to extreme heat and lack of food. This could affect a significant part of the world's population.
We can't just wait for new technologies to fix climate change. It's essential to take immediate action now instead of relying on uncertain future solutions.

Nils Ekholm was a key figure in early meteorological studies and participated in important Arctic research, showing that countries could work together on big scientific projects.
He warned about human activities affecting the climate, especially through the burning of fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Ekholm's work on climate change was initially overlooked but highlighted that increased carbon dioxide could lead to a rise in Earth's temperatures.

The internet is the largest sociocultural project humanity has undertaken, enabling global communication and societal evolution.
Revolutionary communication technologies, when combined with speed and global scale, can spark significant sociocultural impacts.
Human societies throughout history have always evolved, and the internet is a major tool driving sociocultural change worldwide.